The Outsider - Muriels Wedding and Persuasion

THE EXPERIENCE OF AN OUTSIDER CAN LEAD TO SELF DISCOVERY
TO WHAT EXTENT IS THIS EVIDENT IN MURIELS WEDDING AND PERSUASION?
Through Jane Austen’s Persuasion and P.J. Hogan’s Muriel’s Wedding, the experiences of the protagonists as outsiders within either family or society leads to the self – discovery. Austen’s Persuasion explores the concept of being an outsider predominantly through the protagonist, Anne, who often implores a submissive attitude towards her unappreciative family. Her interactions with them throughout the novel are an integral part in displaying the recognition of self-worth by the character.   Experiencing, losing and reclaiming love allows her to develop a sense of maturity through which she is finally able to exercise independence, thus gaining a true understanding of her value and self-worth. Austen displays the journey to self-discovery by overcoming obstacles through vast use of reflection and contrast. Comparatively, within the film Muriel’s Wedding, the protagonist is depicted as an outcast both within society and her immediate family. This distinction is made clear through the director’s use of costuming and scene composition, differentiating her and recognising Muriel as an outsider. Being very much the product of her environment, the experiences and treatment of Muriel by her family aid significantly in the realisation of self-discovery. Furthermore, the loss of her friendship with Rhonda is a catalyst to her self-discovery, allowing her to recognise her mistakes and accepting her true self. Undeniably, it is evident that both the characters of Anne and Muriel, through their experiences as an outsider realise their true value and regain a sense of self.
Family plays an integral role in recognising Anne as an outsider and provides a medium through which her understanding of self-worth develops. Austen establishes Anne as an outsider from the very beginning of the novel, “Her word had no weight, her convenience would always give way –...